Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Mutiny in Space by Rod Walker is the first in a new line of juvenile science fiction novels from Castalia House.

When the radical revolutionaries of the Social Party prevent his attendance at university and make his life on New Chicago impossible, Nikolai Rovio has no choice but to accept his starship-bound uncle's offer to take refuge in space and sign on as a technical apprentice with Starways. But space, he quickly learns, is full of dangers that can kill a young man just as dead as even the most bloodthirsty revolutionary.

And no place that Man can travel will ever be able to provide safe refuge from ambitious and evil-minded men.

Rod Walker is the New New Heinlein, and Mutiny in Space marks a first step in the long-awaited, much-needed return of science fiction to its classical form and historical heights. Written in the style and tradition of Robert Heinlein's 12 classic juvenile novels published by Scribner, Mutiny in Space is an exciting tale of space, technology, courage, independence, and the indomitable spirit of Man.

Written by Rod Walker and edited by three-time Hugo-nominated editor Vox Day, Mutiny in Space is 200 pages, DRM-free, and $4.99/£4.99. Available only on Amazon.

We are very excited about our new series of Rod Walker books, because they are exactly what we founded Castalia House to publish. They are pure Blue SF, and contain no foul language, no adult themes, no nihilism, and they are 100 percent social justice-free. Robert Heinlein revitalized science fiction with just 12 wonderful novels - 13, if one counts Starship Troopers which was originally supposed to be a Scribner novel, but was foolishly turned down - and we believe it is possible to do achieve similar effects by applying the same principles that made his early novels so successful.

Except, of course, for the issue of gun control. Gun control was a particular bugaboo of Heinlein's editor at Scribner, Alice Dalgleish, and while the Rod Walker books will not feature Correia-style gun porn, neither will they contain any anti-gun propaganda of the sort Dalgleish imposed on Heinlein.

Anyhow, the Rod Walker books are intended to be books that can serve to successfully introduce boys and girls to science fiction again.

neither will they contain any anti-gun propaganda of the sort Dalgleish imposed on HeinleinI remember Heinlein as firmly pro-gun so was confused but Wikipedia was useful in this case. Alice was involved in 'Tunnel in the sky', which indeed has a clear anti-gun message.

Mutiny in Space was a great read, it is reminiscent of Heinlein's "Have Space Suit Will Travel." Rod Walker’s story reads as a cross between a Heinlein and Fleming novel. Typical of classic science fiction, there is enough description of technology and environment to paint a vivid picture of the reality of piracy in space, without feeling like a lecture history, culture, and science. It’s updated classic science fiction taking into consideration computers, networks, and current technology and advancing it to the future. For the geek the fun jibes at 16bit processing and data and the problems integrating old tech with modern band witdth is noticeable and for the non-nerd easily un-noticed.

Like Flemings Bond books it is short, so the story moves rapidly, and as a short novel the character development is not as deep as larger works. The Bad Guy is painted evil in typical “James Bond” villain fashion, a ideology megalomaniac bent on changing the universe. In this case the same ideologic evil as many of Heinlein works, socialism. It’s a fun romp worth reading.

What? One of the things I most remember liking from Rocketship Galileo was that the Doc brings along a couple rifles, just in case. Turns out to be a good decision when they get to the moon. I've got the book on my list for purchase next time I need something to read.

@19: No Cataline, he wouldn't. His real feelings on sexual morality can be revealed by comparing his first work, brought out long after his death accompanied by a glowing forward by an aging hippy, and any Stranger--and later--release.The despised "Juveniles" WERE Science Fiction.

They are pure Blue SF, and contain no foul language, no adult themes, no nihilism, and they are 100 percent social justice-free.

Science Fiction lacking pervert distractions inserted by perverts for the amusement of perverts? Something I can recommend without first explaining that I am not a pervert? Something that my kids will read without me needing to explain why a perverted mindset is counterproductive to a healthy lifestyle? No midwit lines about owing somebody a blowjob? No idiotic plot devices about farts? My wallet is all in.

Vox @ 14: Thank you, I didn't know that. My practice has been to ignore reviews that do not come from verified purchasers on the theory that since they didn't buy the book, they likely haven't read it so the review is likely bogus. It would be helpful if advance reviewers mentioned the fact, that would bolster their credibility.